Unit 02: Elicited Behaviour, Habituation, and Sensitization

Question 1

What is the difference between a modal action pattern and a simple general reflex?

Answer 1

1) a simple general reflex is a behavior that can occur throughout many different species
2) a MAP is a sequence of responses that are exhibited by individuals w/in the same species

Question 2

How do habituation and sensitization effects differ?

Answer 2

1) habituation effect: the reduction of response to repeated stimuli
2) sensitization effect: an increase in vigor of a response to a stimulus

Question 3

what is the dual-process theory?

Answer 3

the idea that repeatedly exposed stimuli is dependent on the net summation of the habituation and sensitization effects

Question 4

what is the opponent-process theory of motivation?

Answer 4

a theory that suggests that emotional reactions are biphasic so they have a primary reaction followed by a secondary opposite reaction as a means to maintain homeostasis

Question 5

explain the 2 types of processes of the opponent-process theory of motivation

Answer 5

1) primary/a process: presentation of an emotion-arousing stimulus
2) secondary/process: the opposite emotional reaction triggered by process a

Question 6

what are the 2 types of social interaction behavior wrt breastfeeding?

Answer 6

1) the fact that newborns automatically suck on any nipple like the shaped object placed near their mouth
2) milk-letdown reflex that elicits the release of milk during feeding time or when baby cries due to hunger

Question 7

what is a sign stimulus?

Answer 7

when a feature of an object elicits a MAP, a general response pattern common to most individuals w/in the same species

Question 8

what is a MAP?

Answer 8

modal action pattern that demonstrates a common behavior between most members of the same species

Question 9

what is the difference between appetitive and consummatory behavior?

Answer 9

1) appetitive behavior: early in a natural behavior sequence that serves to bring the organism closer to a general response pattern common w/in the same species
2) consummatory behavior: a behavior that serves to bring a natural sequence of behaviors to its conclusion

Question 10

what is a releasing stimulus?

Answer 10

when a feature of an object elicits a MAP, a general response pattern common to most individuals w/in the same species

Question 11

what are the 3 modes of the feeding behavior sequence? Which ones are appetitive and which ones are consummatory behaviors?

Answer 11

1) general search mode: the organism searches for a general area that may contain their target food, associated with appetitive behaviour
2) focal search mode: organism specifies its search location of that food, associated w/ appetitive behavior
3) food handling and ingestion mode: organism handles and consumes the food, associated with consummatory behavior

Question 12

what is the startle response?

Answer 12

a defense reaction to a potential threat

Question 13

how does the startle response relate to the sensitization effect?

Answer 13

it is a salient stimulus that results in spontaneous recovery as long as there is a break in exposure after signs of the habituation effect have occurred

Question 14

what is a spontaneous recovery wrt habituation responses

Answer 14

when a response returns back to its baseline excitatory state as a result of a break-in exposure

Question 15

what is the difference between habituation, sensory adaptation, and response fatigue

Answer 15

1) habitation is a reduced response due to the repeated exposure of a stimulus
2) sensory adaptation is a temporary reduction of sensitivity in sense organs due to repeated exposure
3) response fatigue is a temporary reduction of behavior caused by repeated use of a muscle

Question 16

how does the opponent-process theory relate to drug addiction?

Answer 16

Drugs typically elicit a strong positive emotional response while the person is being exposed to it. Followed by a strong negative emotional response as a means to stabilize the body after the effect. After repeated exposure habituation kicks in towards the positive emotional response resulting in drug tolerance. However, the secondary process still maintains its vigor resulting in a strong negative emotional response after exposure. Therefore, drug addiction is a means of avoiding that negative emotional response as opposed to chasing after the positive emotional response.

Question 17

what is a supernormal stimulus?

Answer 17

an artificial enhancement of an object’s feature that elicits a response pattern of members within the same species

Question 18

what is the S-R system/reflex arc?

Answer 18

a neural pathway that connects the stimulated sensory nerve to the responding muscle

Question 19

what is the state system?

Answer 19

neurons that determine the general level of responsiveness/arousal of an organism

Question 20

what is the difference between habituation process and effect?

Answer 20

1) process: the neural mech that results in a reduced response due to excessive repetition of stimulus exposure
2) effect: when a behaviour decreases due to a repeated presentation of a stimulus

Question 21

what is drug tolerance?

Answer 21

the habituation of an emotional response wrt drug administration due to excess exposure